In John 5, Jesus showed his enemies that He was God’s son. The testimony came from various sources, such as John the Baptist, the miracles Jesus performed, the Father in Heaven, and Moses and the Prophets. This testimony is true and sure!

There are consequences to men who do not understand their place in relation to God. Too often men seek their own counsel, and pay no respect to the One who made them. “Woe to those who seek deep to hide their counsel far from the Lord, and their works are in the dark; they say, ‘Who sees us?’ and, ‘Who knows us?’ Surely you have things turned around! Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay; for shall the thing made say of him who made it, ‘He did not make me’? Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it, ‘He has no understanding’?” (Isaiah, 29:15-16).

Bible believers have long defended the text of Scripture against the attacks of skeptics. For a long while this defense, specifically regarding the text of the Old Testament, was made more difficult by relatively recent manuscript evidence that formed the basis of the Hebrew text.

“These were more fair- minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).

The Bereans were fair-minded. Why? It is because they had the right attitude toward the Scriptures. For us to emulate their example, we must as well.

First, realize that the truth is the truth. That is, it is revealed, absolute and unchanging. While men’s perceptions may vacillate, the truth remains inviolate.

Our approach to truth should be a desire for conformity. We do not go to the Scriptures to rationalize and validate our settled practice or teaching. We use the Scriptures as a standard to which we compare our practice and teaching. If we find the two to be identical, we are vindicated; if we do not, we must change our practice or teaching.

We make a mistake if we go to the Scriptures with settled convictions regarding our practice or teaching. If that is so, and the two do not agree, our tendency will be to twist the Scriptures to our practice rather than to conform our practice to the Scriptures.

The question must be, what do the Scriptures teach? We then compare our own practice and teaching to the light of that divine standard, with the purpose of conforming our practice and teaching to it.

Josh Cox discusses attitudes toward the Bible, expressed by those who are not Christians; the inspiration and sufficiency of the scriptures as God’s word; and the proper attitude that Christians should have toward the Bible.

Sermon by Jeremiah Cox (Note: His first time preaching a full sermon, Age 19).

The scriptures are profitable to complete a man, and equip him for every good work (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Jeremiah identifies and applies the truths found in four verses designated by the Holy Spirit as “faithful sayings.”

In 2 Timothy 3 the apostle Paul encourages the young evangelist Timothy to be faithful in Doctrine and in his manner of living. He shows the key to a faithful life is preparedness by a study and application of the word of God.

I recently came across a wonderful quote from Nelson Mandela, a Nobel Prize winner, an former President of South Africa. He wrote or said:

There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.

This has a wonderful spiritual application. God’s word is unchanging. The epistle of Jude states that it has been “once for all delivered to the Saints” (verse 3). As such, it serves as a standard by which we can examine and compare ourselves.

One of the great dangers of any Christian is to, with time, begin to drift away from God. Societal influences, changes in circumstances and the passage of time can lead to subtle changes that may not even be noticed by the careless Christian. He may believe himself to be every bit as faithful to God as in the past, not recognizing that he has left the moorings, and has changed the profession of his faith.

However, a careful and frequent comparison between his faith and God’s word will catch any drift, thus saving him from an unfortunate apostasy! “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Corinthians 13:5).

I have put on the back table in the foyer a very good daily Bible reading schedule that will help you read through the entire Bible in a year’s time. Best of all, you only read on the weekdays, so you aren’t behind! It starts tomorrow.

I do not know of a better habit to form than daily Bible reading. The commitment is no more than 30 minutes a day. Those who have a fast reading rate can finish the reading in 20 minutes or less each day.

Remember the words of the apostle Paul, written to his son in the faith, Timothy. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

In 1 Chronicles 28, King David called all of the leaders of Israel, (captains, stewards and men of valor), to himself, and explained to them that Solomon had been chosen by God to follow him on his throne, and to build the temple. He told them that God had promised to establish Solomon’s kingdom “forever”, “if he is steadfast to observe My judgments and My commandments, as it is this day” (vs. 7).

In verses 8-10, he first addressed the leaders of Israel, and then Solomon, enjoining them to seek God and His will. Notice the passage:

Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, be careful to seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land, and leave it as an inheritance for your children after you forever. 9 As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. 10 Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it.

The phrase “be careful to seek out all the commandments of the Lord your God” is especially instructive to us.

The Catholic church contends that it, as an institution, is the final arbiter and authority for all matters pertaining to the spiritual welfare and condition of man. A careful reading of the scriptures shows this claim to be invalid. God intended His word to be the final standard man must submit to religiously.